How to make a pond in the country with your own hands?

How nice it is to sit by the pond on a fine sunny day, admire the water surface, relax, relax. But what if there is no body of water nearby? Build it yourself on your site! This will not require colossal financial influences. All the nuances of creating and arranging a small country pond will be discussed in our article.

If you are planning to equip the landscape of your site and decide that you must have a pond in your yard, then before you start work, you need to determine what functionality the reservoir will have on your site.

According to their purpose, ponds can be divided into three types:

• decorative;
• a pond with fish;
• for swimming (pool).

A decorative pond can be small, built solely to decorate some area of ​​the garden. As a component of a landscape composition, it can be its finishing touch or an original addition to a design project.

Decorative ponds can be larger: the pond itself is deeper, the compositions are larger, where bridges, fountains, streams, lighting can serve as decor. In addition to a pleasant sight, such ponds are also a place to relax: on a warm summer day around the reservoir, you can sit in sun loungers and get your dose of ultraviolet radiation.

Who among us does not dream of watching the fish frolicking in our own pond and pleasing the eyes of the household? In addition to the decorative function, such a pond will also perform the function of an antidepressant: fish swimming in the pond are an excellent soothing and relaxing agent.

This pond should be large enough for your fish to feel comfortable. It can be of absolutely any shape. But whoever you are thinking of breeding - crucian carp or ducks - do not forget about the need to filter the water, as well as enrich it with oxygen.

Homemade swimming pond - salvation on a hot summer day! The size of such a pool will depend on your wishes and on the capabilities of your site. If the size of the plot allows, then you can build a beautiful reservoir in your yard in which you will swim in the summer. You can also get by with a smaller pool, which will be no less pleasant just to plunge into to cool off on a hot day.

Conventionally, ponds can be divided into two large main groups, each of which has many varieties:

• regular pond;
• landscape pond.

A regular pond is created using a pre-made mold. Surely you have thought out a landscape project in advance, so you already have a good idea of ​​how a home reservoir should look like. Based on the wishes for the design of the pond, you can choose a suitable ready-made shape: they are not only correct geometric, but also more complex types: broken, asymmetrical, and so on.

A landscape pond differs from a regular one in that a ready-made form is not used during its construction. Therefore, any configuration can be given to it.

Let's assume that you have decided on the type and functionality of the pond. Now let's look at how to practically implement the conceived idea.

Of course, one should start by determining the location and size of the future pond. The choice of location is very important. Still, a pond, even if it is functional, should please the eye of the owner, complement the landscape composition, fit perfectly into it, or even become an accent in your design project.

When choosing a place for a pond in the country, you should take into account not only and not so much its visual advantages, but a number of other factors that influence the choice of a place:

• Plot size. It goes without saying that the size of the pond will be the same as the size of your garden will allow.
• The relief of the site. Different reliefs allow you to achieve different results: on a flat surface, you can create a wonderful laconic pond, the water in which will delight the eye with its smooth surface; the uneven surface allows you to fantasize with fountains and waterfalls.

• Groundwater level and soil. You should consider these factors when determining the depth of the pond (you may need certain consumables and additional strength).
• Lighting. It is preferable to find the pond in the shade: exposure to direct sunlight for a long time will increase the evaporation of water, and microorganisms living in the water become more active, and the reservoir will lose all its attractiveness. To prevent this from happening, when choosing a place, pay attention to the light mode. This is especially true for small reservoirs and reservoirs with fish.
• Environment. Of course, the trees and shrubs surrounding the pond look very attractive, but do not forget that the foliage falling from these plants will pollute the pond, and the close proximity of the tree roots can spoil the waterproofing.

• Power supply. Particular attention should be paid to the location if it is planned to decorate the pond with fountains or lighting in order to think in advance about the electrification of this part of the suburban area.
• Expansion perspective. You always need to take this point into account, perhaps in the future you will want to enlarge the pond itself or expand the recreation area by the reservoir, you wish to fix or redo something.

• Consistency with other buildings: after all, the pond is part of the overall composition, therefore, it is necessary to take into account the general appearance of the summer cottage, thinking over the design of the reservoir.
• And finally, the visual component. Of course, the pond should be pleasing to the eye, so its location must be arranged so that it can be seen from most parts of the garden.

The size of the pond, of course, depends on the size of the site, but not only on this. The size of the reservoir also depends on your design project, in the end, just on your desire.

So, let's consider the main parameters:

• Dimensions. There are no specific recommendations regarding the area of ​​the pond. Some sources have information that the reservoir should be located on an area up to approximately 10% of the entire garden area, but these are not fixed standards.
• Lenght and width. These parameters are taken into account based on the total size of the site. If you dig a hole for a reservoir with your own hands, then they also depend on your physical capabilities.
• Depth. Depends on the size of the reservoir, its potential functionality, soil and your physical strength (again, if you dig a foundation pit yourself).

• Zoning. Experts distinguish three parts:

1. Coastal (100-300 mm): plants growing in shallow water are located in it, and there is an entrance to the reservoir.
2. Shallow (300-900 mm): here is the place for other plants that live deeper.
3. Deep sea (from a meter and further): the area required for fish habitat. The larger and more diverse the living world of the reservoir, the greater part of the area is allocated to the deep-water zone. Also keep in mind: to prevent fish from freezing in the pond during winter, the lower part of the pond should be located below the freezing level of the ground.

• Content. Havesurprisingly, a large body of water is easier to care for than a small one.

When you have decided on the location and size of the future reservoir, it is time to purchase materials. Now on the market of building and finishing materials, you can buy everything you need to equip a pond:

• One of the most financially costly options is concrete pond... This reservoir will serve you for a long time, but consider the functionality of the future pond: if you are going to build a pool, then this option may be the best choice for you, if not, study other proposed options and choose the most suitable one for you.

• Plastic containers - a simpler option. They come in different compositions (made of polyvinyl chloride or fiberglass), so their service life is also different: on average, from 10 to 30 years. The work on installing the bowl is simple, so this option is quite convenient: you need to dig a hole, set the mold, fill the voids with sand. However, there are also disadvantages to this option: plastic forms are quite expensive, they also need especially careful transportation, are unstable to ultraviolet radiation, but they are resistant to frost.

• Film: With regard to the variety of shapes, polymer film is an excellent material for covering the bottom of a pond pit. Polyethylene film is inexpensive, affordable and easy to use, but its service life is short: it is too fragile and thin. The film made of polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC film) is denser, therefore, more reliable - it will last longer. Instead, by the way, banners used in promotions are suitable (unnecessary advertising posters can be bought at a low price).

• You will also need the following materials and tools: a shovel, a hose for irrigation, a cord (for marking), stakes, a wheelbarrow for removing land, a purifying filter (especially relevant for reservoirs where fish are bred), a pump (with its help, the pressure required for filling water is formed, it will also be needed for construction of fountains and for the operation of cleaning filters), a sterilizer (needed for water purification), a compressor (aerator) (necessary for reservoirs in which fish live, as it saturates the water with oxygen).

So, you thought about how your future pond will look like, found a suitable place for it, decided on the dimensions, materials, but you still do not know exactly how many materials will be needed to build the pond of your dreams. To find out, we will make calculations and, based on the size of the pond, we will calculate the optimal amount of materials required for its construction.

Suppose we decided to take polyvinyl chloride film (PVC) as a basis, since this material is affordable, durable enough and easy to use, and also subject to repair.

PVC film comes in different colors: black, brown, blue (or cream):

• black film will cover the bottom and allow you to observe the reflection of the sky on the surface of the reservoir;
• the brown film resembles a real bottom in color, which will make the reservoir more realistic;
• light film (blue or cream) will allow you to see its inhabitants under water, for example, fish.

It is also worth paying attention to the manufacturer, strength, UV resistance and the absence of toxic substances.

Calculating how much material you need is quite simple: you need to use the following formula:

1. The length of the film is equal to the length of the reservoir + 2 the depth of the reservoir + 400-500 mm, just in case.
2. The width of the film is equal to the width of the reservoir + 2 depths of the reservoir + 400-500 mm, just in case.

It is necessary to glue the film with glue bought in the same place, in a hardware store, for example, "Tangit" or adhesive tape.

After you have dealt with the film, you will need to sketch your pond. First draw a mini-sketch on paper and then directly on the ground, indicating the depth and width of the container, and the depth and width of the steps. You can write with a garden hose or sand - this is convenient.

After all the preparatory stages have been successfully completed, you can proceed to the main steps:

1. Remove the top layer of soil.
2. Digging a hole.
3. We remove the ground.

It all sounds quite simple, but be careful, do not forget to take into account all the necessary further recesses (for plants, for steps, etc.), as well as the features of your reservoir (waterfall, pond, pool). When installing a pool, a large pit will have to be dug with an excavator, as in a full-scale construction.

When the job is done, the pit was dug up, and the walls were well rammed, you can start waterproofing. If you do not pay close attention to it, then water will begin to flow into the soil, and we do not need it at all. If you act correctly, then everything will turn out as it should.

There are three ways to form a substrate at the bottom of your pond:

• The easiest and cheapest way is to fill the bottom with sand and stones. But the result of this method is short-lived: a few years and such a substrate will cease to function properly.
• Another way is to cover the bottom with geotextiles. The result is, of course, more durable, but the cost of this method is also higher.
• This method is the most reliable: cover the bottom with PVC film. It is not very energy-consuming, and the result is the most durable.

Let's take a closer look at the third option, since its result will allow us to enjoy the pond in our garden for many years. The main thing is to follow the instructions.

The fact that we have chosen the film method of waterproofing does not at all prevent us from filling the bottom with sand before laying the film: this way we will protect the film from unnecessary damage by stones or roots. When laying, unfortunately, it will not work out completely without folds, but it is better to make one large fold than many small ones: then you can press it with stones or glue it. The main thing is not to stretch the film, otherwise it will break through under the weight of water.

To fix it, you need to dig an additional track, lay the film, fix it with rods and sprinkle the track with stones, and then lay the hole itself with them. When you are finished with the film, you should pour water into your pit. Do this gently, without harsh pressure. You should act carefully: although the film is strong, it can deteriorate and tear from improper actions. 1-2 days after filling with water, you can cut the film.

Now it is necessary to strengthen the shore so that the reservoir looks beautiful and neat. Let's pay attention to the soil: if it is black earth or clay, then you can make vertical walls, if it is sand, then the walls should be inclined. It is believed that the ideal slope of the pond bank is 45 °. With such a slope, the coast does not crumble, and during the freezing period the ice does not bulge. Do not forget about plants: since the planting depth is different for all plants, it is necessary to provide shelves for planting in advance.

You can strengthen the gentle banks with a geogrid or geomat, and steep banks - with gabions, piles and retaining walls. By the way, there is an option for those who are not yet ready for such large-scale work on their site, but still want to be the owner of a small island of happiness in their garden. A pond can be built from completely improvised means. For example, from a tire.

The pit will need much less deep, the film will need much less, and in the end there will be as much joy. The process of creation is extremely simple: you need to dig a hole in the size of the tire, insert it into this recess, lay a film on the bottom, pour water, decorate the outside with stones.

This option is very simple. But there is even easier. A child can also carry out the following idea. Instead of a tire, you can use a basin.

Of course, in order for your pond to look spectacular and attractive, it must be decorated accordingly: decorated with plants. In order for your body of water to be as close as possible to a natural body of water, you need to do landscaping.

We offer several options:

• You can plant plants at the bottom of your pond. It is better to use local plants: they will take root faster.

• You can also plant various plants in some kind of container., for example, in a barrel and put around a pond. At the same time, you can plant whatever your heart desires, choosing containers to your liking and, in accordance with the style of the pond and the garden composition as a whole: it will look impressive, while not separating visually from the general picture. In addition, just by replacing the container, you can easily change the appearance of the entire environment, if suddenly the old look is bored.

• The highlight of your design project can be the decoration in the middle of the pond. Place a beautiful stone in the middle of the reservoir, and on it place a pot with some interesting plant, or decorate it with some figure, for example, a mermaid. Such a move will certainly attract the attention of others.

• To keep the water in your reservoir clean as long as possible, you need to protect it from leaves, branches and insects falling from trees with a special mesh construction.
• If, nevertheless, the leaves are in the water, a landing net will help you: just remove unnecessary debris from the water so that it remains clean as long as possible, and the reservoir will delight you with its beauty. But a landing net will not help get rid of debris from the bottom of the reservoir. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to clean the pond with a water purifier.

• Be careful not to overgrow the algae.
• In winter, the pond also needs to be taken care of. Although the main frame will not be damaged, it still needs to be remembered a few rules for your pond to survive the cold season:

1. For example, plants that are planted around a pond are best protected from frost.
2. Ice on the surface of the pond can be cracked and discarded with the silt.
3. And here's another recipe: to build confidence that the frame will not deteriorate from frost and the weight of the ice, you need to shove several plastic bottles into the mold, having previously closed them with lids. This method will also help those who have shallow reservoirs with a film frame in the yard.

• The arrangement of the pond in the winter season is a very important matter. For equipment and plants, it is best to build a frost shelter for the whole winter.

And a few more ideas on how to decorate the pond:

1. You can launch colorful fish into it (just keep in mind that some fish may not get along with each other, so check this point when buying).
2. Arrange colored stones at the bottom of the pond.
3. Build a bridge over a pond, arrange a fountain, decorate a pond with a waterfall or an alpine slide.

In addition to decorating the pond itself, you can make the space around it more effective: for example, you can lay out a stone path leading to the pond. If you use boulders of different sizes and shapes, you can achieve amazing results.

And if your garden is decorated in a fairytale style: then you can lay out a yellow brick path leading to the "Emerald City", and stylize the pond itself as a magical town where strange fish and plants are found, and somewhere in the depths of the garden there lives and the wizard himself. The stones surrounding the pond can be painted with colors to make them bright, creating the desired fairytale atmosphere.

Lanterns will add extra grace and beauty to the surrounding space. Lantern light on a summer evening will not only be functionally useful, but it will also add a touch of magic to your garden, especially if the light of the lanterns is of different colors. And if the pond lighting is added to this, then it will be a truly fabulous place. Children will be delighted, and adults will not remain indifferent either.

Just imagine: all this beauty is right next to the walls of your country house! Equip your surroundings to your liking: make a barbecue area if you want to enjoy a meaty dinner by the water. Or maybe it will be an area for secluded relaxation, then install a gazebo there, where you can sit in silence in the fresh air with a book or draw.

The flight of fantasy is endless! You will find basic tips in our article, and everything else depends only on your desire and capabilities! Don't limit yourself. But do not forget about proper care, then you can enjoy your creation for a long, long time.

Create your own piece of paradise right on the garden or summer cottage. After all, a dacha is not only hard work in the beds with a shovel and a hoe in hand, it is also relaxation, pleasant meetings with friends over a barbecue and a glass of wine, family conversations over a cup of tea in a cozy gazebo by the pond. It is a place where you can sunbathe, swim and enjoy the fresh air and aromas of herbs and flowers. And our article will help you create and equip a small, but real pond.

For information on how to keep the pond crystal clear, see the next video.